Herbert B. Powell

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Herbert B. Powell
1903 – 1998
General Herbert B. Powell as a Major General
Place of birth	Monmouth, Oregon
Place of death	Williamsburg, Virginia
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1927-1963
Rank	General
Commands held	3rd Army 25th Infantry Division 17th Infantry Regiment
Battles/wars	World War II Korean War
Awards	Distinguished Service Cross
Other work	U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand

General Herbert Butler Powell (July 13, 1903 - April 3, 1998) was a 4-star U.S. Army General, and Commander, U.S. Continental Army Command from 1960 to 1963.

Powell was born in Monmouth, Oregon on July 13, 1903.^[1] He joined the Oregon National Guard as a private in 1919, rising to the rank of sergeant,^[1] receiving his commission in 1927 after graduating from the University of Oregon.

During World War II, Powell was chief of staff of the 75th Infantry Division, fighting in Europe.^[1] In the Korean War, Powell commanded the only U.S. regiment, the 17th Infantry, to reach the Yalu River. Prior to coming to Fort Shafter, General Powell commanded the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks where he was known as the "Soldier's General." He briefly commanded the U.S. Army, Pacific for three months, from April to July of 1956, as an interim commander for General Blackshear M. Bryan. Following his Command at U.S. Army, Pacific, he later received promotions to lieutenant general and general. Subsequent commands included Commanding General for the Third United States Army in Fort McPherson, Georgia, and Commanding General of the U.S. Continental Army Command, Fort Monroe, Virginia.

Other significant duties for General Powell were Commandant of the United States Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia, and Deputy Commanding General for Reserve Forces at Fort Monroe. After his retirement in 1963, President John F. Kennedy appointed him U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand, a post he filled from 1963 to 1967. He died in a nursing home in Williamsburg, Virginia on April 3, 1998.^[2]

[edit] Awards and decorations

Powell's awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with oak leaf clusters, the Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters, the Purple Heart, and the Air Medal. He was also a qualified Army aviator.^[1] Powell was inducted posthumously into the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication Hall of Achievement on October 14, 2004.^[3]